DVD Reviews

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! - Blu-ray Review

By Patrick Luce Oct 18, 2011, 14:28 GMT

Lt. Frank Drebin of Police Squad is back in High-Definition! Catch all of the wacky misadventures with Priscilla Presley, OJ Simpson and that beaver! ...more

Airplane begat the “too soon cancelled” TV show Police Squad and that begat the movie The Naked Gun.  It would give new life to Leslie Nielsen’s career and move him into deadpan comedy.  Many laughs would be begotten. 

Lt. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) has returned from an overseas asskicking mission.  He’s picked up at the airport by Capt. Ed Hocken (George Kennedy) who briefs him that Det. Nordberg (O.J. Simpson) has been shot and is in a coma.  Frank is on the case and in it to clear Nordberg’s name as it’s suspected that he is dealing drugs.

Meanwhile, a shady character named Pahpshmir (Raye Birk) is meeting with Vincent Ludwig (Ricardo Montalban) to hire him to assassinate the visiting Queen Elizabeth (Jeannette Charles).  Frank’s investigation leads him to Ludwig and his assistant Jane Spencer (Priscilla Presley). 

Frank notices that she has a nice beaver and romance blossoms but Frank has to save the Queen before it’s too late. 

Leslie Nielsen was recognized for his deadpan comedic chops in Airplane! (1980). The creators would find him the perfect fit for their television parody idea, but before you can say “a show before it’s time,” Police Squad! (1982) would be cancelled after a short and little seen run.  You can’t keep a good lieutenant down and the idea would be spun into a movie in 1988. 

$12 million dollars later, Frank Drebin would hit the big screens and the results were a unanimous success raking in $78 million.  It also shows up on many “best comedy” polls.  I can attest to watching the original Police Squad, albeit on a VHS compilation so I guess I contributed to the cancellation, and found it hilarious. 

I had a bad day and went into the film a bit glum, but when I left the theater I was definitely uplifted and surprised I didn’t piss myself from laughing so hard… well just a little.

Nielsen was cemented as a comedy star and would fight crime and the doldrums in two more sequels.  The first is the funniest though and still has me sniggering over “assault with a concrete dildo.” 

The Naked Gun is presented in a 1080p high definition transfer (1.85:1).  Special features include a commentary with director David Zucker, producer Robert Weiss, and radio host Peter Tilden and the 2 minute high definition theatrical trailer. 

I still get a laugh out of the Naked Gun and miss Leslie Nielsen.  I would’ve liked to have seen some sort of tribute to the elder statesman of comedy, but alas nothing.  If you’re like me and want to pick up this film then you’ll have to drive over to Best Buy as it’s a title exclusive to them. 

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